Graduate Admissions FAQ

Please note: Individual programs require supplemental application materials, and some programs require prerequisite coursework and skills knowledge. More details regarding expectations for statement of intent or writing portfolios, pre-requisite courses, and other supplemental application materials can be found on the individual program pages.

Application Fee

How much is the application fee?
The application fee is $50 for one program.

What if I cannot afford to pay the application fee?
We expect all applicants to submit the application fee.

Can I pay the application fee by credit card?
You must pay the fee by credit card. Instructions will be given when you submit your online application.

General

When is the application deadline for fall admission?
Preference is given to those who submit completed applications by the deadlines listed below. Applications may, on a limited basis, be reviewed beyond the indicated deadlines, but no guarantees can be made that an application will be fully reviewed for the requested term of entry if submitted after those deadlines. Applications submitted after the deadlines may therefore be deferred and considered for the next available admit term. Please note: you must submit your application by the stated deadline to be considered for financial assistance from our School.

If we do not have enough time to process your application for the term indicated on your application and you are otherwise admissible, we may offer you admission to the next available entry term.

Deadlines for Domestic Applicants

Degree Program

Fall Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

MS in Computer Science

January 15

September 15

PhD in Computer Science

January 15

September 15

PhD in Computational Modeling and Simulation

January 15

MS in Information Science

July 15

November 1

March 15

PhD in Information Science

January 15

MS in Intelligent Systems

January 15

PhD in Intelligent Systems

January 15

Master of Library and Information Science

January 15

Master of Library of Information Science Online*

July 1

PhD Library and Information Science

January 15

MS in Telecommunications

January 15

September 15

January 15

PhD in Information Science with a concentration in Telecommunications

January 15

September 15

January 15

Deadlines for International Applicants

Entry Term

Application Deadline

Date by which you must accept your offer of admission

Fall

January 15

Between April 15 and June 15

Spring

June 15

By November 1

Summer

December 15

By March 1

Are there additional financial aid forms to complete?
There are no additional financial aid forms to complete unless you are applying for the Commonwealth Scholar Assistantship (you will be required to submit three additional essays to the application system).

What if all of my supporting documents do not arrive by the deadlines?
They may not be considered in the review of your application. It is your responsibility to make certain that your application is complete and that the required materials reach us by the above stated deadlines. You may use your user Apply Yourself ID and password to check your submitted application to make certain that it is complete.

Can I make changes to my online application after it has been submitted?
Please email any new/updated test scores or changes to your resume and/or statement of intent to sciadmit@pitt.edu. We cannot guarantee that your changes will be considered during the review of your application, but the sooner you provide us with updates, the more likely it is that they will be considered.

If I applied last year and was not admitted, can I reapply this year?
Yes, as long as it is before the application deadline. However, all application materials must be re-uploaded online application system. This includes the resume, statement of purpose, test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and the application fee.

Is it possible to visit the campus and the School of Computing and Information?
Please contact sciadmit@pitt.edu to schedule a campus visit.

Will I be considered for financial support if I am admitted?

International applicants to all of our programs must provide proof that they can fund themselves.

Doctoral students, if admitted, are typically awarded financial support in terms of a graduate assistantship. International doctoral admits may use such a graduate assistantship, if awarded, as proof of funding.

Master’s and all other graduate applicants are typically not awarded financial support.

Special award funds are available on a very limited basis – see financial application section of the application to determine eligibility and apply for these funds.

How and when will I be notified if I am admitted?
You will be notified directly by the School of Computing and Information, as to whether or not you have been admitted. We realize that waiting is very difficult; however, we request that you do not call our offices to inquire about the status of your application. If you have been admitted, you will be notified and asked to submit official transcripts and test scores before you start your graduate program. Please note: it may take up to 10 weeks for our School to contact you regarding an admissions decision.

How do I track the status of my application?
Use your user ID and password to access the submitted online application system. Receipt of the required uploaded documents (score reports, transcripts, and letters of recommendation) will be indicated in the corresponding section. Allow four to eight weeks for all documents to be recorded, as it does take time to process each application.

Master’s Specific Questions

How long does it take to complete a master’s degree?
Students usually complete their master’s degree in 1 – 2 years of full time study.

Once I begin a master’s program in SCI, is it possible to change to another program?
Yes, students may transfer to a different department or program within SCI. Transfers between departments or programs will be reviewed by the receiving department’s admissions committee – including a thorough assessment of the student’s academic performance in previous institutions as well as within SCI. Faculty will review the student’s original application materials and may require that the student submit supplemental application materials.

Students should note that transfer to a different department or degree is not guaranteed.

For more information, view the SCI Catalog.

Can I transfer into a master’s program from another college/university?
You may not simply transfer to a program. You must submit an application and be accepted into the program. If accepted, any graduate coursework that was not counted towards a completed prior graduate degree can be reviewed for transfer into the graduate degree in SCI to which you have applied. See the Catalog for details [include link].

If I am admitted to a program, can I defer admission?
Students who wish to defer should contact our admissions team at sciadmit@pitt.edu.

Doctoral Specific Questions

How long does it take to complete a PhD program?
Your program duration varies by program.

Is it possible to work on a PhD degree part time?

PhD in Computer Science: You must complete a minimum of one term of full time graduate study by the end of the term in which the comprehensive examination is taken

PhD in Information Science: You can complete your degree through a combination of full-time and part-time study. Two terms of full-time study are required.

PhD in Information Science with a concentration in Telecommunications: You can complete your degree through a combination of full-time and part-time study. Three terms of full-time study are required.

PhD in Library and Information Science: You must complete one term of full-time study to meet the residency

Once I begin a PhD program in SCI, is it possible to change to another program within SCI?
Yes, students may transfer to a different department or program within SCI. Transfers between departments or programs will be reviewed by the receiving department’s admissions committee – including a thorough assessment of the student’s academic performance in previous institutions as well as within SCI. Faculty will review the student’s original application materials and may require that the student submit supplemental application materials.

Students should note that transfer to a different department or degree is not guaranteed.

For more information, view the SCI Catalog.

Can I transfer into a PhD program from another college/university?
No, you must submit an application and be accepted into the program. You may not simply transfer to an SCI PhD program. You must submit an application and be accepted into the program. Credits from prior graduate degrees may be transferred and counted towards the total credits required to complete the SCI PhD degree. See the Catalog for details.

If I am admitted to a program, can I defer admission?
This may only be approved by your assigned academic advisor and the doctoral program chair. Please contact your advisor, chair of your doctoral program, and sciadmit@pitt.edu. If we receive approval from them, we will defer your admission.

Please note: an approved deferral of admission does not guarantee that your funding will be carried over with your deferred admission; you will be subject to a completely new funding award process for the term to which you defer.

Test Scores

All test scores (TOEFL/IELTS and/or GRE/GMAT) must be uploaded (as a full page PDF) to your application. If the scores are not uploaded by the time you apply, you will have to send test results in PDF format and your application will not be considered complete until you send test scores to the school.

You should request the test agencies to send us official scores when you apply. Electronic TOEFL and GRE scores must be submitted by ETS, and printed official report of IELTS and GMAT should be sent to the School of Computing and Information. Failure to submit your official scores will result in an inability to register for classes in your first semester.

GRE Institution Code, 2927

TOEFL Institution Code, 2927

All applicants (except MLIS, CAS, and Non-Degree) must take the Graduate Record Examination(GRE). See individual program requirements for complete details. GRE scores are valid for five years (valid for three years for the LIS PhD program).

Am I required to upload a TOEFL score?
If your native language is not English, then you must submit theTest of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL). All students need to submit a TOEFL – or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are also accepted – that meets the minimum score required by departments/programs.

What is the recommended TOEFL score?

Department of Computer Science: minimum 90 (Band 7 in IETLS) in total with minimum 22 (6.5 in IETLS) in each section

Intelligent Systems Program: minimum 90 (Band 7 in IETLS) in total with minimum 22 (6.5 in IETLS) in each section

Department of Informatics and Networked Systems: minimum 80 (Band 6.5 in IETLS) in total

Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship:

MLIS: minimum 80 (Band 6.5 in IETLS) in total

LIS PhD: minimum 100 (Band 7.5 in IETLS) in total

My undergraduate degree is from an institution in the U.S. Do I still need to submit a TOEFL score OR My undergraduate degree is from a foreign institution. However, I have received a Master’s degree from an institution in the U.S. Do I still need to submit a TOEFL score?

If you are currently working on or have received a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the U.S. and your native language is not English, the TOEFL may be waived by program. See detailed information by department/program:

Department of Computer Science: If applicant has/will be conferred a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the S., the TOEFL (or IELTS) will be waived

Intelligent Systems Program: If applicant has/will be conferred a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the S., the TOEFL (or IELTS) will be waived

Department of Informatics and Networked Systems: If applicant has/will be conferred a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree completed entirely in the U.S., the TOEFL (or IELTS) will be waived.

Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship: If applicant has/will be conferred a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree completed entirely in the U.S., the TOEFL (or IELTS) will be waived.

My undergraduate degree/master’s degree is from a foreign institution. May I submit an expired TOEFL?
You need to submit a TOEFL no more than two years old. We will NOT accept an expired score. No exceptions.

Do you accept IELTS?
Yes, we will accept the IELTS. Your official score report should be uploaded to your application as well as sending an official report to us.

I plan to take the Tests in either November or December. However, the score will not be reported until after the final deadline. What should I do?
We suggest that you plan to take all required tests before December. Since the score report for December tests will not arrive until January and our Admissions Committees usually start their review process in early January, it may cause a delay in the review of your application.

What scores should I enter if I have taken the GRE test more than once?
Enter the scores from your most recent test. All scores will appear on the official score report for the committee to review.

Education

I am in a five year program and will be awarded a master’s degree. Do I enter this in the Undergraduate or Graduate section of Colleges/Universities?
This information should be entered in both sections.

I have a three-year undergraduate degree from an institution outside of the U.S. Am I eligible for admission to your Master’s programs?
It is recommended that you submit an external review of your transcript from this degree from an international transcript evaluation service – please note that cost of this is the responsibility of the applicant. If the evaluation states that your degree is not the equivalent of a four-year undergraduate degree in the U.S. but you are still interested in our graduate programs, please contact sciadmit@pitt.edu to request further study recommendations to reach eligibility for our degrees.

What format do I use to enter my GPA and College/University Point System?
Enter your GPA exactly as given by your College/University, e.g. 3.5, 4.9, 9.6, etc. In the box to right indicate the Point System that your College/University uses, e.g. 4.0, 5.0, 10.0, etc.

Should I send transcripts when I apply?
We will need you to uploadofficial copies of transcripts (see upload instructions for details) from all of your prior academic studies, regardless of whether or not a degree was conferred.

When do I send my official transcripts?
If you are admitted to SCI and accept your offer of admission, you will then be required to submit an official (paper or electronic) copy of all your transcript(s) issued by the institution(s).

If these degrees were obtained in the U.S., then you will need to request that an official transcript be sent to us directly from the institution (typically these are issued by your university Registrar’s Office).

If your degrees were obtained from other countries that only issue one formal copy or only issue transcripts to you directly, then you will need to bring the originals with you to campus so we can verify the original transcripts and make our own copies on-site.

What if my fall semester grades are not on my transcript by the final deadline?

We do not require that you upload a copy of your fall semester grades. If you are admitted, you will be required to send us a final transcript.

Where do I mail my transcripts?No paper copies of your transcript are necessary at the time you apply. You only need to upload a PDF transcript from each college or university attended, whether or not you received a degree. If you upload a transcript from a foreign country, you must include an English translation. Note: this must be a copy of an official transcript from the university. (Uploading a personally made PDF of your courses and grades will NOT be accepted.)

If you cannot upload transcript due to technical glitch, you may send your official transcripts to:

SCI Record Office
Information Sciences Building, Fifth Floor
University of Pittsburgh
School of Computing and Information
135 North Bellefield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA, 15260

Do I have to submit International Transcript Evaluation?
All degrees obtained outside of the U.S. will be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. educational standards by the School of Computing and Information/University of Pittsburgh. Therefore, all international applicants must provide an official English-language translation of all pertinent transcripts. In a small number of cases, the Admissions Committee may be unfamiliar with the university from which you graduated. In such cases, the committee reserves the right to request an external review of your transcript, the cost of which is the responsibility of the applicant.

Resume and Statement

If I am applying to two programs, can I submit a different Statement of Purpose for each program?
Yes. Please submit the appropriate Statement of Purpose for each application.

I have already uploaded my Resume/Statement of Purpose, but now I have made revisions and would like to submit the new version. What should I do?
Please submit any new/updated resume and/or statement of intent to sciadmit@pitt.edu before the indicated application deadlines; updates submitted after these deadlines may not be able to be shared with the admissions committee prior to their review of your application.

Letters of Recommendation

If I submit an online application, can my recommenders use the paper recommendation form?
We strongly suggest that recommenders submit their letters online.

What should I do if the deadline is approaching or has passed and one or more of my recommenders has not submitted their recommendation?
You may send a reminder email to a recommender. It is your responsibility to make certain that the letters are submitted to us.

What if I want to submit more than the required number of letters of recommendation?
Three letters of recommendation are required. However, space is provided for you to submit up to five. At least two should be from faculty or recent employers. Recommenders should know you relatively well and be able to evaluate the quality of your previous work.

Who should I ask to write letters of recommendation for me?
The admissions committee wants to know about your ability to do independent research. You should select letter writers who can best speak to that point. Professors who interacted with you extensively in smaller classes are also a good choice. Employers are sometimes appropriate, but letters that are simply character references will not provide good support for your application.

What if I want to add recommenders after I submit the application?
After you submit your application, you will not be able to edit or delete information about recommendations. Please contact sciadmit@pitt.edu to change information about recommenders.

Supplemental Information

I have a paper that has not been submitted for publication or was not accepted for publication, but I would still like for the committee to consider it in my application. Should I list it here?
Yes. However, published papers are viewed more favorably in the admissions process.

I have just received notice that a paper listed on my application has been accepted for publication. How can I add this information?
You will have the ability to update this information yourself. The supplemental section will still be available after the deadline.